Blood Sport

Hey smart computer guys, how about using your genius for something worthwhile?

There's plenty of controversy about whether or not video games are contributing to the degradation of  our society.

I am firmly planted in the camp that they do.

Killing is a part of the "fun" of many games, and I think that's causing the value of life, human life, to be seen as inconsequential.

Now, some guys are upping the ante and hooking up players to blood collection systems where when blood is shed or when you die (not sure which) in the game, you actually loose your blood.

Now the good news is, all blood that is collected will be donated to blood banks, but . . .

REALLY???

Here's some free advice guys:

GROW THE HELL UP!!!

Leave the video games to the kiddies (the non-violent ones, of course) and focus your energies on the real problems of the world.

Witness this craziness for yourself below.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/24/lose-real-blood-video-game-blood-sport_n_6211376.html

Thanksgiving Dinner Help

Here are some great time saving ideas for your family feast.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/24/thanksgiving-hacks_n_6199210.html

Don't Know Why

I don't know why I still claim Texas as home.

Maybe because that's where I was born and raised, although I lived in California longer (18 vs. 23 years).

Even now, when people ask me where I'm from, after we get pass America, I almost always respond with "Texas."

Can we agree that some of the most ignorant, dumbest, most backwards-thinking, fear-mongering folks reside here?

The latest outlandish move is adopting textbooks that push facts, truths and science to the margins, if they're present at all.

And don't get me started on voter suppression and redistricting to squash votes.

You can guess whose.

And yet, in spite of all of this evidence, and the opportunity to re-write history for myself and claim another state, I still claim Texas.

What in the world is wrong with me?

Do I willfully want to be associated with ignorance of this magnitude?

Or, is it because deep down, I realize that's the place that molded and shaped me into the person I am today.

For better or for worse.

Check out the link below to see stupidity in action.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/us/texas-approves-disputed-history-texts-for-schools.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostViewed&version=Full&src=mv&WT.nav=MostViewed

She's Not the Only One

Now, I don't know if black folks inherently have "black-dar," a kind of supersonic radar that helps us find other people who are like us, but nine times out of ten, we can identify another black person from way off.

First glance at the young woman in this film, and you can see she's black.

Why couldn't others see the obvious?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUr9TEsXlmcmorp8XHCj7Wtg&v=nHq3DevkXqA

One Lucky Lady

This little old lady was treated to a kiss on the cheek by a basketball player during the game.

I don't even like basketball, but I love this guy!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/23/javale-mcgee-kisses-woman-fan-nuggets-video_n_6207386.html

Stuff Signed Sealed Delivered - Live at Montreux 1976

Same guys playing the heck out of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

They make it look easy, don't they?

You can find them on the Qello Concert App under FUNK.

FUNK is fitting.

Stuff - Lift Every Voice and Sing(Live @ Montreux 1976) . . . AND THE CHURCH SAID "AMEN!"

Just discovered these guys on a new app called Qello Concerts that is a storehouse of live concerts.

I got out of bed to post this.

It was just too good to delay.

Let's have some church up in here!

What's Playing

The website below is pretty cool.

http://beta.radiooooo.com

It's a map of the world.  You click on an area, and popular songs by the decade will play.

Be patient.  It takes a minute for them to load.

"All About That Bass" Avi Kaplan ft. Mario Jose and Naomi Samilton (Megh...

This is a silly song, but these guys could sing the names in the phone book and I'd listen.

You'll recognize the bass singer from the group Pentatonix.

Side note - I just discovered how to embed videos and I'm kinda having fun with this.

Don't worry.

I'll get over it soon.

Until then,

Enjoy!

Andrea Bocelli & Heather Headley - 'The Prayer'

Two of my favorite folks . . . together!

Now We Know

Who killed Sam, on "How to Get Away With Murder."

STOP READING IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE ENTITLED "KILL ME.  KILL ME.  KILL ME."

I was surprised.

I didn't think it was "the pup."

Not innocent, doe-eyed Wes.

THEN.

When Wes says, "I'm so sorry" to the corpse that is Sam,  he hears, "Don't be."

WHAT?!?!!!

Sitting in the dark with the dead body of her husband lying on the floor in front of her, Annalise reveals herself.

Now, this is just me, but I think this is when she schools Wes on "how to get away with murder" and everything that happens after that is orchestrated by her.

I love this woman.

I know she's wicked, mean, self-serving, and wrong on so many levels, but DAMN she is wicked smart and powerful, too.

I understand completely why Tony Soprano was loved, in spite his felonious behavior.

Back to "How to Get Away With Murder."

Now what?

Does life go back to normal for everyone involved is this murder?

Do one or more of the kids crack under the weight of the guilt?

How does the relationship between the Keating Five and Annalise change?  Do they still admire her or are they afraid of her and what she could do to them?

I know.

I know.

It's just a tv show, and . . .

Yes, I should get a life, but . . .

This is tv at it's best.

All hail Shonda Rhimes.

This is the real smokin' smart sista.

Here's one of the many recaps on this episode.

http://link.theroot.com/53bac403dd52b82c5d00c60220fda.3i5/VG-0uEmOBfcmbusKA7af1

Mama Said

"What you do in the dark, will come out in the light.  It might not be today, maybe not tomorrow, but it's gonna happen."

I have been reminded of this with the Cosby fiasco that is getting uglier with each passing day.

As Forrest reminded me, "The chickens are coming home to roost."

It's Early

Holiday Dinner Party

I know it's early for Christmas music, but I absolutely love it and since Christmas is not celebrated here, I tend to long for it, especially now.

So please indulge me.
(Hat tip:  Forrest)

Taking Charge

I love this guy!

He's a former NFL player who left football, bought a farm that feeds the hungry, and to top it off, delivered his son when the baby came faster than help.

He's a great example of . . .

Brawn.

Brains.

And . . .

Heart.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/ex-nfl-player-delivers-his-own-child-on-a-farm?csp=Mostpopular

Good Idea?

Somebody thought these high school kids in blackface was a good idea.

You?

http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_grapevine/2014/11/high_school_powder_puff_football_team_s_blackface_photo_goes_viral.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr%3Acontent%26

Hidden Gifts & Talents

Forrest, my second brother, older by ten years, is a master story teller.

Always has been.

He's also an entertainer and wonderful musician.  Although his skills as a singer and musician on the saxophone and flute are amazing, it's his monologues between songs that folks enjoy the most.

Writing was never his strong suit.

Very recently though, he decided to write his story.

On one of our chats, he shared this with me.

Well, I can testify firsthand that writing is not a strength, so it was with hesitation that I opened the file containing his narrative.

And there appeared another example of hidden gifts and talents bestowed from God, that we don't even know we possess.

That's the only explanation for this marvelous manifesto he is producing.

I had heard bits and pieces of his story over the years, but with the age difference, he experienced so much before I was even born.  That time alone could fill volumes.

I couldn't be prouder of him.

One day I hope to share his story with you.

He's 68 and discovering his hidden talent.

I promise, it's not too late for you, no matter what your age.

Ok. I Can See That.

This article suggest that the Arab Spring was caused by Dubai.

Not necessarily by these other Arab countries wanting freedom and democracy, but by the fact that they saw the world that the Dubai created, and wanted/longed for their country to be like this.

Interesting theory, for sure.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/opinion/thomas-friedman-did-dubai-do-it.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0

Honk

Honk is a new roadside service app.

It's gonna give AAA a run for their money.

It's available for iPhones and Androids.

Check them out in this article below, followed by their website.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/talkingtech/2014/11/19/app-promises-quicker-roadside-assistance/19242149/?csp=tech

http://www.honkforhelp.com

I should get paid for these endorsements, right?

Watch Her

She's amazing!

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/11/_7_year_old_plays_for_peace_in_ferguson.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr%3Acontent%26

Who Killed the Scoundrel?

We find out this week who killed Sam on "How to Get Away With Murder."

You get the chance to vote at the bottom of the article below.

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/11/poll_who_killed_sam_on_how_to_get_away_with_murder.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr%3Acontent%26